1 Samuel: Chapter 11
In the foregoing chapter, we saw that Saul was elected as King of all Israel and Samuel explained the rights and duties of kingship to the people. After which everyone went home. Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God has touched.
In this chapter we see the early days of Saul’s governance. The glorious rescue of Jabesh-Gilead out of the hands of the Ammonites, by the LORD, through Saul. Though the LORD was rejected by the people, because of his goodness, he did not reject them. He enabled Saul to rescue the people, but making him fit for service and also drafting people to the cause. We also see Saul’s readiness to come to the people’s relief, the LORD’s guidance, and Saul’s tender behavior towards those who had opposed him.
Chapter Recap
The chapter begins with Nahash the Ammonite besieging Jabesh Gilead. When asked for a treaty by the besieged people, he responds as such, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel”. Distressed, the elders of Jabesh, ask for seven days' time and send messengers throughout Israel. The messengers reach Gibeah of Saul and report these terms and they cry aloud. Saul, who had just returned from the fields, hears about this. Immediately, the Spirit of God came upon him in power and he burned with anger. He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people and they turned out as one man. The men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand. Messengers were sent back to Jabesh Gilead with the message ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered’, hearing this, the men of Jabesh Gilead were elated. The next day, Saul separated his men into three divisions and during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. The people were happy and said to Samuel to bring those who spoke against Saul to be put to death. But Saul said, “No-one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.” Then Samuel gathers the people to go to Gilgal and reaffirm the kingship. The chapter closes with Saul being confirmed as king in the presence of the LORD and the Israelites having a great celebration and sacrificing fellowship offerings before the LORD and Saul.
Jabesh Gilead
A lot of incidents in the bible, particularly with the old testament, occur as a consequence of the Israelites disobeying the LORD’s word and sinning against the LORD, which leads to their enemies overpowering them. Eventually, a good majority of the people repent and the LORD sends someone to deliver them. But with each cycle the number of people who truly turn their hearts to the LORD reduces, until eventually, there is just a remnant left.
Here, we observe that Nahash the Ammonite has besieged the city of Jabesh. The Ammonites are descendants of Lot and had previously fought with Israel during the period of the judges, until the LORD delivered them. Now, with Israel backsliding, the ammonites were back again. Jabesh Gilead is also closely related to the Benjamites. Nahash, who wanted to bring disgrace on all Israel, imposed a harsh treaty on these people. However, he allowed seven days' time for them to call for help, perhaps thinking that it would be impossible for the other tribes to mobilize troops and send them to this border. It is likely that the news about a new king in Israel had not yet reached the other nations. But, all that is about to change now. Though Israel rejected the LORD, he was always there to come to their aid for the sake of the promise he made to Abraham, and here we see the LORD delivering Israel through Saul, and also establishing Saul’s kingship over Israel
Saul
We didn’t get to see much of Saul, his personal life and nature before. Maybe it wasn’t significant back then. But now, after the LORD changed Saul’s heart, we see many things which are honorable. The very first thing we see here is Saul’s humility. Saul was anointed as King in the previous chapter. He had a number of men, who followed him. But what does he do? He goes to the fields. While it looks strange at first, it shows humility. He might have been waiting for the LORD to give a sign or chance to change things, or maybe he realized that it is still his duty to check on his own fields. Likewise, it is commendable that he wanted to work with his own hands for the food he eats. All this shows that he did not consider the kingship for granted.
We also observe his concern for his neighbors. Soon as he returns from the fields, he finds people wailing and immediately enquires about their grievance. Then, we see his zeal for the safety and honor of Israel. He was angry that such a threat had arisen in Israel, he was angry that this made his neighbors upset, he was angry that this happened under him. This zeal, coupled with the spirit of God, gave him the courage to act.
Subsequently, we observe that he commanded authority and exerted his power (as a king) to rally people to the cause of chasing away the threat Israel is now facing. Saul further sends a summon to all the coasts of Israel, marking his command beyond his own tribe, and orders all the military abled men to assemble. In this instance, he also includes Samuel’s name in his draft order. Both honoring the prophet and acknowledging that his rule is backed by the LORD. The LORD honors all this, by ensuring that the men of Israel gather under Saul with an oneness in heart. This oneness was crucial.
We further see Saul’s prudent and strategic approach to this great threat, no doubt being guided by the wisdom of the LORD. He numbered the men, and distributed his forces based on the numbers, and set them to attack at the opportune time. We see Saul’s faith and confidence along with courage and resolution in this endeavor, wherein he sends the message of deliverance even before the battle. He was not afraid about the enemy’s strength, but trusted in the LORD and what he had provided. This consequently gave hope and calmed the people of Jabesh Gilead. Finally, even without any experience, Saul was able to command his forces to bring about deliverance to Israel. To Saul’s honor, the LORD crowned him with success, Jabesh Gilead was rescued, and the Ammonites were totally routed.
After the battle, we still see Saul remaining humble, he did not act harshly against those who spoke against him when he was anointed as king. Rather, he quashed the motion of putting those troublemakers to death, and asked the people to be glad, for it was a day of celebration, since the LORD has wrought salvation in Israel. Samuel used this occasion to call the people together before the LORD in Gilgal, where they publicly gave thanks to the LORD for the victory, and also confirmed the governance of Saul. Thus, the LORD made Saul the king of Israel.
We have a couple of takeaways from this chapter. Firstly, if we are in the LORD, and never fall away from him, then we would always have the LORD to rescue us in everything. In fact, most of our troubles stem from our increasing distance from the LORD. Nevertheless, the LORD is able to change the bad things, and also use the said bad thing to achieve a positive goal, provided we believe in him.
Secondly, we notice the good nature of Saul here. Straight from a person who looked for donkeys (and one who works his fields) he was propelled to the status of king. He was given all the necessary skills and characteristics to be a good ruler. But to stay in this path, was up to Saul. As we read in Ecclesiastes,
The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Many times, we too have a really good start. When we are called for a purpose, the LORD doesn’t send us empty handed. But to continue on the good path, is up to us. So, let us always remember to stay humble and patient and dependent on the LORD, and let our end be better than our beginning. Take care of yourself and each other! See you in the next one!
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